What are your thoughts on Carolina cues?

Retail1LO

Retail1LO

Pass the sugar!!!
Silver Member
I've been paying attention to the threads regarding these cues for some time now...and I have some questions I was wanted to pose in hopes that I could get some input from what is a wealth of knowledgeable folks on this forum. These guys have in a pretty short period of time, started to crank out some top notch cues. I was fortunate enough to trade for a beautiful wrapless Carolina with Bamacues recently, and I can honestly say not only is the cue stunning...but a phenomenal player. That being said...do most of you still consider Carolina a custom shop or a production cue manufacturer? The shop isn't a single man operation...and as such...does that influence your decision any? Is the difference between production and custom more than a simple matter of the process by which the cues are made? Outside of the "Snap" cue that was posted in the gallery some time ago, I don't exactly see a line of people looking to acquire these. What are your thoughts on these cues? I own Sugartrees, James White cues, Scruggs, and many other high end cues and was wondering where some people feel Carolina cues will fall into the long list of cue makers. For the record...I'm not asking for comparisons to any other cue maker, nor am I asking anyone to state where they'd rather spend their loot. I'd like to keep some focus on this thread so it doesn't turn into a who's better than who match as some of these have a propensity to do.

I mean...a cue like this by damn near any other maker...would top well over 1K...if not 2K. I can't wait to see the stuff coming out of their shop in the future...it's only going to get better.

CCCueswraplesscomposite.jpg
 
I definitely feel they are custom cues. Yo can order pretty much whatever you like, look at your own cue for that.
I've had two pretty high end ones, and espescially on the one I have now the workmanship in the points/veneers/inlays is superb.
Playability I cannot comment on, since both my Carolina's were/are unplayed. Fit and finish also very good at least.
If I had to bring up a not so good point about them, well they could install their ferrules a little cleaner. That's about it.

gr. Dave <-- Thinks the prices will go up aswell as up for the Carolina's.

p.s. That one you got from Bama is spectacular too, I have the one from Fast_n_Loose.
 
Definately custom cues, definately excellent players, and also excellent customer service.

Just get one and try it out. You wont be sorry.
 
yea they're 100% custom. they might make some catalog cues but lots of cuemakers have that. plus southwest pretty much only makes 1 design now and several ppl work on each cue as well but they're still considered custom.

as for the reason why no one is lining up to buy them, it's probably because u can get one made for u within a few months. u can get it cheap and get exactly what u want on it so most of the time theres no reason to buy someone else's.
 
I have had several of them. I personally designed a couple, including the wrapless one you have, and Trevor and I discussed general design in almost all of the others. I don't know how you can get much more "custom" than that. They are excellent players, also. Their fit and finish have come a long way in a hurry. I am particularly impressed by their desire to better their product, and not just sit back on their laurels. They ask for opinions from the field and really try to implement changes for the advancement of their cue quality.
Joe
 
I had bought 2 recently, I liked the hit, but was not thrilled with the finish, so I sold them, but I'm gonna give them another chance when I go to VF. They had some nice stuff last year, so I hope they got nice stuff again this year, cause I want another one.
 
carolain

I own a very nice carolina billiard cue and its the best cue I have ever used for 3 cushion.
 
I think they probably will hit the nice cue level with poor resale value. Notice that people are buying them now and just selling them. One for sale almost every week, which tells me that the buyers (not the dealers) must have found something they don't like. Either it be the hit, the finish, or the design. The designs I've seen look very nice however.

I haven't owned one, have considered it, but to me it looks like they will start to slip in resale value.
 
cubswin said:
I think they probably will hit the nice cue level with poor resale value. Notice that people are buying them now and just selling them. One for sale almost every week, which tells me that the buyers (not the dealers) must have found something they don't like. Either it be the hit, the finish, or the design. The designs I've seen look very nice however.

I haven't owned one, have considered it, but to me it looks like they will start to slip in resale value.
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I am not sure I agree with you on that, Joe. If you watch closely, most of the cues that you see for resale are the very early ones, and they have really improved since then. One cue for sale per week or two is not very many, and often times, it is the same cue. Of course, people do buy cues to try out and then resale them all the time. That is where the fun is.
Joe
 
Bamacues said:
I am not sure I agree with you on that, Joe. If you watch closely, most of the cues that you see for resale are the very early ones, and they have really improved since then. One cue for sale per week or two is not very many, and often times, it is the same cue. Of course, people do buy cues to try out and then resale them all the time. That is where the fun is.
Joe
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Your a good judge of cues so perhaps I'll end up being wrong. I like to see any cuemaker make it, after all the more cues that are sold the more people that have a reason to go play.
 
cubswin said:
Your a good judge of cues so perhaps I'll end up being wrong. I like to see any cuemaker make it, after all the more cues that are sold the more people that have a reason to go play.
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I agree..I really want to see these guys and many, many others do good and make a good product, and survive in a tough market. One thing I will say for Carolina Cues, is that there is just no comparison of the cues that they are putting out now to the cues that they were putting out about a year ago. They are really stepping up to the plate and trying to improve their product.
Joe
 
Hate to say anything if not something nice.... but you asked.

I very recently met a former employee of theirs, and heard LOTS of bad things. I will not be buying any of their products. However, I do like their appearance, and their pricing seems very fair for 'new kids on the block'. Never hit with one, but that doesn't mean someone else wouldn't all in love with one. It's all realtive I guess.
 
half fast bankr said:
Hate to say anything if not something nice.... but you asked.

I very recently met a former employee of theirs, and heard LOTS of bad things. I will not be buying any of their products. However, I do like their appearance, and their pricing seems very fair for 'new kids on the block'. Never hit with one, but that doesn't mean someone else wouldn't all in love with one. It's all realtive I guess.
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JMO, but there is not much worse than a disgruntled former employee. I would listen to the customers in the field, they will let you know the real scoop, good or bad. Most pool players that I know are not the quiet, shy type.
Joe
 
I own 2 of them, I basically told Trevor what I wanted and I am thrilled with the way the came out. The hit is great too.
Definately 100% custom.
These guys are very, very high on my list.
Their website has been re-designed and it looks great too.
Keep up the good work guys! :D :D
 
I would like to thank everyone who posted on this thread. Like us or hate us thats your call. We are still improving things every day and have come a VERY long way.Joe, Chris, Tony thanks for the kind words about us and our cues.Good or bad we want to hear your thoughts and comments as we strive to achieve even better things. Jon
 
runingman said:
I would like to thank everyone who posted on this thread. Like us or hate us thats your call. We are still improving things every day and have come a VERY long way.Joe, Chris, Tony thanks for the kind words about us and our cues.Good or bad we want to hear your thoughts and comments as we strive to achieve even better things. Jon
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i can say this, at first i didnt like anything you guys did. however every cue i see of yours gets better and better. personally i am a perfectionist and if something i did was not perfect i wouldnt let anyone see it ever!!!

being a beginner in cuemaking (about 2 year. i can certinly understand how every cue you make you learn something new or an easier way to do something. keep up the good work
 
Kudos to Carolina Cue's!

I'm across the lake from Carolina Cues and needed some repair on one of my Olneys. I shot an email to them and Trevor replied, welcomed me with a very personal touch and asked for me to bring my cue anytime they are open. I don't trust too many people with my cues and formerly performed my own repairs when I had the proper equipment to do so.

I have not had privledge of shooting with a Carolina Cue but, I must say, this is a first class operation and I was immediately impressed with the way each one of these guys introduced themselves to me and welcomed me into their shop. They even gave me a personal tour and showed me equipment, stock, in process cues, finished cues, etc...

Oh yeah, they did a bang up job on two of my shafts, retipping one and installing a new threaded ivory ferrule on the other. All I can say is keep up the fine work and great customer service over there!!!!

Robin @ The Table Pro - Mooresville, NC
 
I had an opportunity to meet these guys @ the Derby and they are great guys who really love cuemaking! And having such an incredible headstart with the consulting they got from One of the greatest living cuemakers today, they are going to be around for a while. Not only is their craftsmanship getting better and better with every cue, the playability is improving as well. I cant wait to own one of their cues. Keep up the good work guys.

-West
 
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